Abstract: Objective: To investigate the dynamic expression of CD16 in the trigeminal ganglion (TG), and elucidate the potential role of neuro-immune interaction in the trigeminal nervous system that involved in the histopathological development of nerve injury and associated hyperalgesia. Methods: A rat animal mode of chronic constriction injury (CCI) was induced by placing loose chronic gut ligatures around the right infraorbital nerve (ION). The dynamic expression of CD16 in TG was demonstrated by immunofluorescence. Furthermore, the effect of CD16 on the associated hyperalgesia was detected through the correlation analysis with CGRP. Results: The expression of CD16 in the TG primary sensory neurons increased significantly at 72 hours post ION-CCI and reached the peak after 5 days. The expression of CD16 in TG neurons was significantly correlated with CGRP. Conclusion: The primary sensory neurons in the trigeminal nervous system were expressed CD16 and may involve in the histopathological development of peripheral nerve injury and associated hyperalgesia.

Key words: CD16, Chronic constriction injury of infraorbital nerve, Hyperalgesia , CD16(Cluster of differenciation antigen-16)